But they made amends this time, making par on the third extra hole to secure a maiden World Cup success for Scotland.

Ireland finished a disappointing 24th place out of 28, after the worst round of the day, a six-over 78.

"My play-off record is rubbish, that is about my 10th play off and second success," said Montgomerie.

"It was fantastic, after missing out last year to come here and win is superb."

Scotland had initially looked on course to claim the victory without the need for a play-off after completing their round with a six-under-par 66 and sat top of the leaderboard by one stroke as the United States headed on to the 18th.

But after Heath Slocum had teed off, Boo Weekley's approach shot rolled within five feet of the pin and Slocum held his nerve to comfortably putt for a birdie to tie Scotland at 25 under and force the play-off.

It looked bad for Scotland when Montgomerie had teed off into a bunker and Warren compounded to send his approach shot into another bunker close to the flag.

Montgomerie chipped out but the ball fell short of the pin leaving Warren with a tricky task to putt from 10 feet.

However, the 26-year-old showed no signs of nerves as he made the putt for par.

The USA also made par meaning the play continued and when both teams parred the second play-off hole it looked like it was going to take something special to separate the two.

On the third play-off hole, Montgomerie's attempted birdie putt fell just short leaving Warren to make par.

And, just as it looked like it would head to a fourth extra hole, Weekley failed to save par and handed the victory to Scotland.

Meanwhile, France fell just short as they claimed sole possession of third place by carding a five-under 67 - their disappointing 71 in Friday's alternate shot format in the end proving costly.

That time they struggled to make birdies while carding three bogeys but today they enjoyed a faultless round while collecting five birdies.

England had to settle for fourth as Justin Rose and Ian Poulter never really threatened to capture a third World Cup success throughout the final round.

Though Rose putted for an eagle on the ninth, two bogeys on the front nine proved damaging as they completed their round in five under and a 23-under-par 265 for the tournament.

"I think we did well to score what we did considering we made some mistakes out there," admitted Rose.

"Every time we made a mistake we bounced back brilliantly with a birdie or an eagle but the mistakes proved costly."

South Africa's Retief Goosen and Trevor Immelman combined for a three-under-par 69 to claim fifth place while Sweden, who shot an impressive two eagles in their round, finished tied for sixth along with the Netherlands, Germany and Argentina.

After a promising start to the tournament, 2005 World Cup winners Wales finished tied for 22nd.